Levi Leipheimer announces retirement from cycling

American Levi Leipheimer says he retired from professional cycling when his six-month ban for doping violations ended March 1 and he was unable to sign with a new team.

Leipheimer told The Press Democrat ( http://bit.ly/17S3JVL) of Santa Rosa of his decision Sunday. His comments came after watching the final stage of the Tour of California, an event he won three straight times from 2007-2009.

The 39-year-old Leipheimer, from Butte, Mont., was fired by the Omega Pharma-Quick Step team in October after confessing to doping as part of the investigation that brought down Lance Armstrong. Leipheimer was Armstrong's teammate for five years during stints with the U.S. Postal Service, Astana and RadioShack teams before joining Quick Step last season.